Patents by Inventor Donald Anthony Pilz

Donald Anthony Pilz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220349177
    Abstract: An elongate component for placement in a wall gap and a wall incorporating such a component. The component includes a wall-face leg configured to extend along a face of a wallboard and a wall-end leg configured to extend along an end of the wallboard. The wall-end leg is oriented perpendicular to the wall-face leg. The component further includes a flexible gap portion configured to be positioned within and extend along the wall gap. The gap portion is located on an opposite side of the wall-end leg relative to the wall-face leg. A blocking element is located in a space defined by the wall-end leg and the gap portion. The blocking element is configured to block fire and/or sound within the wall gap. At least a portion of the flexible gap portion is located on an exterior side of the blocking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11466449
    Abstract: The present application is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, flat straps for use between tracks and fluted wall components, fire sponges for use in fluted wall components, and tracks with protruding grooves or other structures which prevent unwanted air movement between a wallboard component and the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA EXPANDED METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald Anthony Pilz, Raymond Edward Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Publication number: 20220268017
    Abstract: A fire-resistant strip for providing a fire-rated seal to a construction gap or joint includes an intumescent material layer configured to expand in response to a temperature above a threshold temperature and at least one heat resistant material layer made of or comprising a material having a melting temperature above the threshold temperature, such as a fiberglass material. The at least one heat resistant material layer covers the intumescent material layer. At least one adhesive layer is configured to secure the fire-resistant strip to a building structure or structures defining the construction gap or joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11421417
    Abstract: A fire-rated component for a fire-rated joint, such as a head-of-wall assembly, includes an elongate body having at least a first layer, which can be in the form of a polymer profile. A second layer can be or include a foil lining and a third layer can be or include an intumescent material. The elongate body, such as the first layer, defines an air gap. The foil lining and/or the intumescent material can be positioned within the air gap. A planar lower portion of the first layer of the elongate body is positioned between a header track and a wallboard in the fire-rated joint. A non-planar upper portion of the first layer of the elongate body is positioned at least partially within a deflection gap of the wall assembly and sealingly engages the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Donald Anthony Pilz, Tyler Elliott
  • Publication number: 20220259852
    Abstract: A fire-rated component for a fire-rated joint, such as a head-of-wall assembly, includes a fire-rated assembly include a fire-rated angle and a gasket profile. The fire-rated angle can be coupled with the gasket profile to form a single unit within the head-of-wall assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Publication number: 20220162851
    Abstract: An improved flute plug for a head-of-wall assembly for fire rated wall construction beneath a fluted deck or ceiling. The improved flute plug can be friction fit within individual flute voids that run over the top of the header track. The improved flute plug can include a single piece pre-bent steel profile with fire stopping material attached thereto or contained therein. The fire stopping material can be oversized so that it will compress into the flute void over the top of the header track. The compressed fire stopping material can provide a seal against fire, smoke and/or noise through the fluted deck voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Publication number: 20220098856
    Abstract: A pre-formed flute plug including compressed fire-resistant material (e.g., mineral wool) for fireblocking a head-of-wall assembly. The plugs can be pre-formed to shape and include an outer coating that contains the compressed fire-resistant material inside. Once installed within a flute void, the outer coating can be ruptured to allow expansion of the fire-resistant material to fill the flute void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11280084
    Abstract: An elongate component for placement in a wall gap and a wall incorporating such a component. The component includes a wall-face leg configured to extend along a face of a wallboard and a wall-end leg configured to extend along an end of the wallboard. The wall-end leg is oriented perpendicular to the wall-face leg. The component further includes a flexible gap portion configured to be positioned within and extend along the wall gap. The gap portion is located on an opposite side of the wall-end leg relative to the wall-face leg. A blocking element is located in a space defined by the wall-end leg and the gap portion. The blocking element is configured to block fire and/or sound within the wall gap. At least a portion of the flexible gap portion is located on an exterior side of the blocking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Prod ucts Company
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11268274
    Abstract: A fire-rated component for a fire-rated joint, such as a head-of-wall assembly, includes a fire-rated assembly include a fire-rated angle and a gasket profile. The fire-rated angle can be coupled with the gasket profile to form a single unit within the head-of-wall assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Publication number: 20220056686
    Abstract: A head of wall assembly includes a compressible component positioned within a deflection gap between an upper edge of the wallboard and a ceiling or other horizontal structural element. The compressible component includes an intumescent strip in contact with the ceiling or the upper edge of the wallboard. The compressible component held in place by a double-sided tape attached with the header track, the ceiling, or the upper edge of the wallboard. The double-sided tape can partially cover one side of the compressible component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Publication number: 20220042303
    Abstract: Fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, including but not limited to intumescent material. The fire-retardant material can be attached to compressible backer rods inserted within deflection gaps in the wall systems such that the fire-retardant material expands and seals gaps and/or areas between the tracks and wall components such as ceilings, floors, and drywall. Various assemblies and methods can be used to cover the deflection gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Donald Anthony Pilz, Eric Larson
  • Publication number: 20220023684
    Abstract: Fire block devices for application to a wall component, a wall component with a fire block device and wall assemblies including the same. The fire-block device can be a wall component that includes a fire-resistant material strip that expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier. In some applications, the fire-block wall component is positioned to extend lengthwise along and across a gap between wallboard members. The fire-block wall component may have a central portion and a pair of side portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion. The fire-resistant material may be positioned on the central portion of the fire-block device. The central portion may be positioned within the gap such that the fire-resistant material expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Donald Anthony Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin
  • Publication number: 20220010553
    Abstract: A fire-rated receiver channel includes at least one intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The receiver channel can nest with a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. In other arrangements, a track assembly includes two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Donald Anthony Pilz, Raymond Edward Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Publication number: 20210396004
    Abstract: Fire or sound blocking components are configured to resist the transmission of fire, heat or sound through a gap in a wall assembly. The components can be elongate and have a profile of a consistent cross-sectional shape along the length of the component. In some arrangements, the component is configured to provide fire or sound blocking to a dynamic head-of-wall joint of a wall assembly. In other arrangements, the component is configured to provide fire or sound blocking to a reveal gap within or along an edge of a wall assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11162259
    Abstract: An improved flute plug for a head-of-wall assembly for fire rated wall construction beneath a fluted deck or ceiling. The improved flute plug can be friction fit within individual flute voids that run over the top of the header track. The improved flute plug can include a single piece pre-bent steel profile with fire stopping material attached thereto or contained therein. The fire stopping material can be oversized so that it will compress into the flute void over the top of the header track. The compressed fire stopping material can provide a seal against fire, smoke and/or noise through the fluted deck voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11141613
    Abstract: Fire block devices for application to a wall component, a wall component with a fire block device and wall assemblies including the same. The fire-block device can be a wall component that includes a fire-resistant material strip that expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier. In some applications, the fire-block wall component is positioned to extend lengthwise along and across a gap between wallboard members. The fire-block wall component may have a central portion and a pair of side portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion. The fire-resistant material may be positioned on the central portion of the fire-block device. The central portion may be positioned within the gap such that the fire-resistant material expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Donald Anthony Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin
  • Publication number: 20210285208
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11111666
    Abstract: Fire or sound blocking components are configured to resist the transmission of fire, heat or sound through a gap in a wall assembly. The components can be elongate and have a profile of a consistent cross-sectional shape along the length of the component. In some arrangements, the component is configured to provide fire or sound blocking to a dynamic head-of-wall joint of a wall assembly. In other arrangements, the component is configured to provide fire or sound blocking to a reveal gap within or along an edge of a wall assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Publication number: 20210254333
    Abstract: An elongate component for placement in a wall gap and a wall incorporating such a component. The component includes a wall-face leg configured to extend along a face of a wallboard and a wall-end leg configured to extend along an end of the wallboard. The wall-end leg is oriented perpendicular to the wall-face leg. The component further includes a flexible gap portion configured to be positioned within and extend along the wall gap. The gap portion is located on an opposite side of the wall-end leg relative to the wall-face leg. A blocking element is located in a space defined by the wall-end leg and the gap portion. The blocking element is configured to block fire and/or sound within the wall gap. At least a portion of the flexible gap portion is located on an exterior side of the blocking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: Donald Anthony Pilz
  • Patent number: 11060283
    Abstract: Fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, including but not limited to intumescent material. The fire-retardant material can be attached to compressible backer rods inserted within deflection gaps in the wall systems such that the fire-retardant material expands and seals gaps and/or areas between the tracks and wall components such as ceilings, floors, and drywall. Various assemblies and methods can be used to cover the deflection gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Donald Anthony Pilz, Eric Larson